THE LEWIS METHODOLOGY EXPLAINED

Origins, founders and comparisons to other methodologies

ABOUT LEWIS DEEP DEMOCRACY

The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy is a practical five-step approach for working with groups and individuals. It is "democratic" because it emphasizes that every voice matters and that decision are wisest when majority and minority voices are both valued. It is "deep" because it goes far beyond the engagement with ideas and instead surfaces emotions, intuitions, attachments, and identify issues that make a conversation more honest and real.

Based in process-oriented psychology and developed in the tension-ridden context of post-apartheid South Africa The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy has been specifically customized to meet some of the most common challenges faced in any modern organizational and personal life. Its many applications are used today worldwide by leaders, managers, consultants, facilitators, coaches, family members, teachers and community activists.

The Method is distinguished from most other approaches to working with groups and individuals for its orientation towards tension and conflict. Deep Democracy recognizes that when different voices come into conversation with each other there will inevitably be differences of opinion. This is the gift of diversity, and its challenge. The Lewis Method outlines a structured way of leading people into tensions and potential conflicts, knowing that innovative solutions, sustainable decisions, wisdom and transformational growth lie in that exploration. In this way the Method unearths the Gold of Conflict.

DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?

Your project team is trying to make a key decision but one group member stubbornly disagrees with all solutions. What if there was a way to bring the minority along with the majority and improve the decision in the process?

You teach a class that is dominated by a few vocal students while others remain quiet no matter how enthusiastically you urge them to speak. What if you had the skills to make the space safe for all the views to come out?

You have factions within your community who are not able to come to the table together. The ideological, historical, and interpersonal differences run deep. What if you could create the conditions for a productive argument?

You and your partner are tiptoeing around an unspeakable “elephant in the room”. The relationship goes on but it is stilted and difficult to navigate. What if you had tools to have the conversation and develop the relationship?

You are of two minds about something. You go over the matter over and over again, cycling madly but not getting anywhere. What if you could tap into the real issues underpinning your confusion and clear your mind space?

The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy encompasses a range of applications for macro (societal), meso (group and organization) and micro (individual and relationship) scales. Its strength lies in its user-friendly nature, its adaptability to many contexts, and the fact that it is relatively easily learned and transferred.

The method has been prototyped and tested over 25 years and in many different cultures. Due to its efficacy in small and large group settings the method has attracted an international community of exceptional people, many of them thought-leaders and practice-leaders with a strong professional and personal base. Instructors and advanced practitioners have been evaluated and grown over time through a rigorous learning path that is cognitive, highly experiential and focused on emotional development. The method is constantly evolving and finding new applications at the hands of this large global community.

ABOUT THE LEWIS METHOD

The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy is a practical five-step approach for working with groups and individuals. It is "democratic" because it emphasizes that every voice matters and that decision are wisest when majority and minority voices are both valued. It is "deep" because it extends communication between people beyond an engagement with ideas, as it surfaces emotions, intuitions and attachments, identifying issues that make conversations more honest and real...

The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy is based on Arnold Mindell's Process Oriented Psychology. An American physicist and Jungian analyst, Mindell pioneered a highly innovative approach for understanding and working with individual and group dynamics, enabling powerful transformations to take place in a relatively short time.

In the early 1990s two of Mindell's students, Myrna Lewis and her late husband, Greg, began translating Mindell’s teachings for use in organizations. The Lewis method of Deep Democracy was born when South Africa's national utility company engaged Myrna and Greg to help make the transition from apartheid to democracy. Like most apartheid-era corporations, this was a racist, sexist workplace, where each employee filled a rigidly defined slot in the hierarchy. Now, virtually overnight, workers were expected to become team players to make cooperative decisions and support each other in implementation.

The Lewis's responded to these challenges by adapting Mindell's complex therapeutic process into an approach that could be taught to and used by people with no background in psychology. With their help, their client's 5,000 workers weathered the transition, and the company went on to thrive. Greg and Myrna subsequently discovered that their methods work just as well for educators, communities, families and couples.

After Greg died in 2002, Myrna continued to refine the techniques and build a global, diverse community of instructors and pracitioners. The process of scaling was rocky to start. The first group of six instructors, all accomplished individuals in their own right and selected for their self-awarenss, took over three years to train and accredit! Today the method is taught internationally by a group of 30 instructors, all of whom have been rigorously trained and retain their accreditation through ongoing supervision.

A New Generation of Applications

The Lewis Method initially found a keen audience in facilitators and consultants on the one hand, and organizational leaders on the other hand. By 2015 it became clear that leaders found the method difficult to use because of its central tenet of neutrality. Out of this realization was born a new articulation of the tools for leaders – anyone who is driving an agenda. The resulting training pacakge, CoResolve was tested in a large corporation and has spread internationally.

As more leaders in the private and the public sectors took up the Lewis Method, there was a growing demand for hosting conversations on challenging topics in the socio-political realm. This gave rise to the articulation of the Dialogue format for large crowds, and subsequently the Coresolve Youth Speaks format, specifically for educators leading challenging conversations in the classroom.

While the method has been scaled up for use in large settings, it has also been scaled down for use at home. In 2014 Let’s Talk was created as a strutured approach that allows couples (or any two people in relationship) to work through conflict. You and Me, an online App for individuals was created around the same time, out of an insight that a large majority of people introdued to the Lewis Method find significant individual growth and personal clarity as a side-effect of using these tools.

It has taken more than fifteen years of experimentation and revision to hone The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy into a straightforward, five-step approach out of which various applications have grown. Today, the methodology is a dynamic, evolving approach used in all sectors of society and in over 40 countries. The next phase of development makes the method even more accessible through an expansion of online tools and trainings.

HISTORY OF THE LEWIS METHOD

The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy is based on Arnold Mindell's Process Oriented Psychology. An American physicist and Jungian analyst, Mindell pioneered a highly innovative approach for understanding and working with individual and group dynamics, enabling powerful transformations to take place in a relatively short time.

"The strength in the Lewis Method is that it sprang from the transition period of apartheid to democracy in South Africa. It has a message to many different cultures around the globe. To invent a method like this takes wisdom, courage and empathy." Poul Erik Christoffersen, Director of SP[AE1] - The National Innovative Centre for General Education (Denmark)

Co-founder of the Lewis Method of Deep Democracy and Head of Professional Services for Deep Democracy Ltd., Myrna Lewis has dedicated her life to helping individuals, organizations and communities grow and develop. Her highest dream is to awaken and enable the healer archetype in each person, so that they can spread the healing energy the world so desperately needs, as they go about the day-to-day activities of their work and life.

Myrna has a BA in Social Science, a BA in Psychology and an M.A. in Clinical Psychology. She completed further training in Process Oriented Psychology and Psycho Synthesis.

Her clinical practice led to consulting work with business and industry. She entered the corporate world in 1984 when she joined a multinational company as HR director. A few years later she switched to consulting, bringing cutting edge psychological methodologies and solutions to business.

In 1994 The Lewis method of Deep Democracy emerged when Myrna and her late husband Greg Lewis, were contracted by Eskom (a large South African utility company) to assist in helping the organisation transform from a racist organisation under the apartheid era to a non-racial organisation in line with the new governance of South Africa. The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy was designed for people in the work place to enable them to function and resolve racial tension. The emphasis of the Lewis Method has been on practical and pragmatic applications for people in the general population who have not been trained in the human sciences.

Myrna is recipient of a 2001 Ashoka Fellowship award, which supported her empowerment work with South African teachers and HIV/Aids counsellors.

In 2006, the United Nations recognized Deep Democracy as one of eighty leading African innovations.

In 2008 Myrna published the book “Inside the No: Five Steps to Decisions that Last”.

A mother of two and grandmother of four, Myrna continues to travel the world, overseeing the training and development of instructors, the innovation and development of the Lewis Method and supporting the vastly growing international community.

MYRNA & GREG LEWIS

"The strengths in the Lewis Method is that it sprang from the transition period of apartheid to democracy in South Africa. It has a message to many different cultures around the globe. To invent a method like this takes wisdom, courage and empathy." - Poul Erik Christoffersen, Director of SP - The National Innovative Centre for General Education (Denmark)

The Lewis methodology in relation to :

Arnold Mindell's Process Oriented Psychology

The Lewis method was initially designed for people in the business world who had no interest in, or background in psychology.

The easy to apply 5 step methodology has its roots in Process Orientated Psychology however the method looks and feels very different in practice. Many of the situations where the Lewis Method is applied are different and many of the people ( eg business leaders and politicians ) applying the tools are different from the psychologically sophisticated people trained in Process Work.

An area where they may be seen as being similar is in group dialogues and interventions. However although seemingly similar there are different tools and techniques being applied. For example, the role of the facilitator is very different. In Process Work the facilitator may take on a role and may then facilitate from within that role through amplification. In the Lewis method the facilitator will remain neutral and not take on a role.

Conventional Leadership Styles

'CoResolve' is an enhanced version of the Lewis Method which has been developed specifically for leaders. A leader is defined as anyone driving a process to achieve an outcome. CoResolve supports the development of self awareness and awareness of group dynamics, and empowers leaders to motivate and ensure participation, to recognise and deal with resistance, and to resolve tension and conflicts - key skills needed by leaders to address their day to day challenges.

Traditional Facilitation

The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy provides the traditional facilitator with theoretical knowledge and a clear road map for working with groups. It can be used in bits and pieces and added into an exisiting facilitation toolkit. The Method's tools are particularly useful for those "how to get out" traps and blocks of traditional facilitation, for example when one person dominates the conversation, when there is conflict and tension in the group, when the facilitator gets attacked and when there is a lack of buy in to the facilitation process.

Appreciative Enquiry and World Café

Many people have used a combination of Appreciative Enquiry or World Café with the Lewis Method of Deep Democracy. The Lewis Method enables all the voices to be heard and resolves the tension that may occur as a result of diverse opinions.

Theory U

The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy has been used as a basic facilitation method when applying the stages of the U. It has been particularly effective as another means of uncovering the wisdom at the bottom of the U.

IN RELATION TO OTHER METHODOLOGIES

The Lewis Methodology has some parallel aspects to other methodologies while being distinct from them. If you are familiar with Process Oriented Psychology, traditional facilitation methods, Appreciative Enquiry, World Cafe, or Theory U, you may want to read more to see how the Lewis Method relates to these.

INTRODUCTION

PROGRAMMES

Courses, events and Interventions using the Lewis Methodology

LEVEL 1 TRAINING

Level 1 Training Course

The Deep Democracy Level 1 course is for anyone interested in learning the basic DD methodology. It lays the foundational theory & skills over 8 introductory modules. It will provide participants with the know-how and skill to collaboratively make decisions, understand relationships and group dynamics and resolve tension.

LEVEL 2 TRAINING

Level 2 Training Course

Once you have completed the Level 1 course you may continue to the Level 2 course. This course deepens your knowledge of Deep Democracy & broadens your toolkit as well as your ability to faciliate from the different positions of facilitator, leader and participant. It focuses on the 5th step to Deep Democracy; dealing with deeper emotional issues or conflict.

COURSE OVERVIEW

Prerequisite: Level 1

Designed for: Facilitators, coaches, parents, educators, caregivers, partners, family members

Duration: 2 day course

LEVEL 3 TRAINING

LEVEL 3 TRAINING

This course focuses on your ability to be a Deep Democracy practitioner and hold a group as a facilitator. Emphasis will be placed on the metaskill of Neutrality & what to do when you lose it.You will learn amplification, reflective listening & metaskills.

LEVEL 4 TRAINING

Level 4 Training Course

The Level 4 course focuses on gaining a deeper understanding of self especially in relation to projection and role theory. Course participants are required to complete an I-Know-Me assessment questionnaire and receive a one-on-one feedback. In addition the course will hone your skills. COURSE OVERVIEW Prerequisite: Level 3 & IKM assessment Designed for: DD practitioners Duration: 3 day course

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The program is put together to develop highly skilled DD practitioners. It is designed to hone and embed the theory and skills of Deep Democracy into participants work and personal life. The course comprises of group Skype calls, exercises & one on one coaching. These aspects of the course, in addition to mastering the DD tools, also encourage self-awareness and personal growth. And lastly, the program lays the foundation for those who want to continue to become Deep Democracy instructors.

Course overview

Prerequisite: Level 3 / 4

Designed for: DD practitioners wanting to further their skills or become an instructor

Duration: 6 month part-time course

INSTRUCTOR TRAINING

INSTRUCTOR TRAINING PROGRAMME

Practitioners who want to be able to teach traditional Deep Democracy, from a neutral facilitative stance, need to qualify to become instructors of Deep Democracy Level 1. The instructor training is designed to train, upskill and equip you to teach the Level 1 Course.

ELDERS PROGRAMME

ELDERS PROGRAMME

The program is put together to develop highly skilled DD practitioners. It is designed to hone and embed the theory and skills of Deep Democracy into participants work and personal life. The course comprises of group Skype calls, exercises & one on one coaching. These aspects of the course, in addition to mastering the DD tools, also encourage self-awareness and personal growth. And lastly, the program lays the foundation for those who want to continue to become Deep Democracy instructors.

Course overview

Prerequisite: Level 3 / 4

Designed for: DD practitioners wanting to further their skills or become an instructor

Duration: 6 month part-time course

Powered by the Lewis method of Deep Democracy CoResolve is a learning package developed specifically for leaders within teams and organizations.

In this view, a leader is identified as anyone driving a process to achieve an objective. Leaders are the people who stand in front of the room, champion ideas, set the agenda, manage relationships, chair meetings, direct efforts and so much more. Some leaders have an official leadership title, others don’t. But all leaders have a stake, often a big stake, in the efforts they lead - and how they get their own voices and the voice of others heard often has a significant impact on the success of the initiative.

CoResolve gives leaders the theoretical background, instructions, experiential learning opportunities, and long term support that they need to begin using the most powerful and essential tools of The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy in day-to-day meetings and other leadership processes.

YOUTH SPEAKS

YOUTH PROGRAMME

CORESOLVE YOUTH SPEAKS

Dealing with hot topics in educational settings is a potentially powerful learning opportunity, and a potentially disastrous endeavor. Discussions of large historic or current societal conflicts often bring these issues right into the classroom, possibly dividing the learners. Teachers often avoid addressing sensitive topics because they are concerned they won’t be able to handle them well, or that they may offend someone or some group. While these concerns are legitimate, leaving the sensitive topics out of the classroom is an enormous missed opportunity. It is exactly these issues that capture the attention of learners, providing disruptive and transformative learning opportunities. And the classroom represents one of the only spaces in which we can learn to have productive conversations.

Recognizing the above, CoResolve Youth Speaks articulates a classroom-friendly version of the tools within the Lewis Method of Deep Democracy toolkit. Its enable teachers and educators to convene difficult conversations and resolve tension and conflict in educational settings at all levels, from primary school to university.

The method supports young people, teachers and practitioners to uncover learnings about themselves and others during the course of engaging in conversation, debate or discussion. It turns these moments into learning opportunities. Working with this method and tools will also help to foster a culture of participation, dialogue, involvement and mutual respect at school.-“ EVENTS FOUNDATION

LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME

CoResolve Participative Leadership Program

Game changer for leaders seeking to significantly improve levels of engagement, team work, and results

In today’s complex organisations, the skillful handling of interpersonal and team dynamics has become a vital quality among leaders. The CoResolve Program increases leaders’ capacity to succeed in turbulent times by offering practical tools for working and thriving with the diversity of perspectives inside an organisation.

DOES THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?

Meetings could be more productive and better use of everyone’ s time.

Team members are having a difficult time efficiently making decisions and sticking to them.

Your organization is experiencing some resistance to authority and/or change.

Team members are sometimes working against each other instead of collaboratively.

Struggling to build a relaxed environment for innovation to birth the next big idea.

MEET THESE CHALLENGES BY DEVELOPING SKILLS IN

THE BASIS OF THE TRAINING

CoResolve is based on the Lewis method of Deep Democracy developed in post-apartheid South Africa and practiced in over 20 countries around the world.

The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy is a methodology for working with groups and individuals, that is particularly useful for resolving relationship and group dynamics that are emotionally charged or marked by diversity and difference. In CoResolve we have honed these tools for leaders. In this method a leader is identified as anyone driving a process to achieve an objective. CoResolve gives you the theoretical background, instructions, experiential learning opportunities, and long term support that you need to begin using the most powerful and essential tools of The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy in your leadership.

WHAT IS IN THIS TOOLKIT

Lens for Understanding Group Dynamics

Read the dynamics of a group, pick up on the early signs of resistance and emerging conflict and act in a timely manner to reduce tension.

Understand the obstacles to good communication and build the foundations for shared understanding.

Skills for Collaborative Decision Making

Make decisions that gain buy-in

Establish accountability and responsibility

Facilitate dynamic conversations

Enable diverse opinions to be heard

Unleash engagement and creativity whilst maintaining your authority.

Harness the power and collective intelligence by enabling even the most quiet of participants to express their views.

Tools for Resolving Tension

Resolve differences of opinions, arguments and conflicts instead of allowing anger and blaming to continue.

Use tension as an opportunity to enhance learning and relationships, and to unleash the creative potential.

The Coresolve Leadership program consists of:

2 days of in-person instruction in a group of maximum 15 people enabling practical and experiential learning top take place.

The 2 days can be delivered in modules

A custom-designed web-based platform, access to the learning material, exercises, discussion groups and the ability to connect to other participants internationally.

Group Coaching

Following on the two day trainingin order to integrate their new found skills participants are encouraged to attend 3 to 6 supervision groups, where they continue to practice their skills with 4 or 5 other group members. These groups usually take place in virtual space and are time and cost effective.

Individual Coaching

Leadership is based on self -awareness A highly trained CoResolve coach assists the leader integrate the new found knowledge and skills to his/ her personality during 3 to 6 one on one coaching sessions.

The I Know Me Personality Profile

Provides the leader with insight into their personality patterns and how they can maximize the benefits of the program. The I Know Me profile is gained through the completion of a detailed questionnaire. The professional analysis and report is given by a highly trained IKM analyst, to the participant via an hour long feedback skype session. The information from the IKM profile helps the participant maximize their learning and integration during the group coaching and or individual coaching sessions

PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PROGRAM

Leigh Anne Albert

Senior Manager at MAC Consulting Johannesburg, South Africa

“There was a really conflictual situation with me and another guy on the team. Our director actually sat us down, and told us that we were going to use some CoResolve things. We had about a 45-minute discussion breaking down the issue, identifying what the problems were. He followed it to the T. It was actually one of the more stressful colleague situations I’ve had in a while. I have to say, it was a little bit raw afterward, but it was a safe environment. I have a fabulous relationship with this guy going forward, and we really do work well together. It was really, really effective.”

“The evidence of effectiveness of my use of Deep Democracy in my project management role is abundant. All of the my projects are interdisciplinary, multi-stakeholder and multi-country. They are all delivered on-time, exactly what the customers wanted and come with little sense of tension or conflict. I know that this is a cause and effect relationship because this is the technique that I use and I use it all the time.”

Islamabad, Pakistan

“Deep Democracy (Lewis Method) has offered an approach unlike any other and has proved invaluable. It is one of the toolkits that can be applied in a variety of contexts, from ordinary organizational issues through to highly complex and contentious community issues. We have used it extensively within urban and rural development contexts.”

Wanda Everts

Everts Mediation & Coaching

Zwolle, Netherlands

“In my law career, I experienced very often that people said yes, but did no. In other words, they would say yes on stage, but behind the curtains, it was “no way”. That does a lot of damage to communication and relationships. But being able to do as you say you will do, and to really find out what is needed to be good for what you say—that’s very important to me, professionally, and that’s what The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy has really added for me: making certain that a yes really will be a yes in practice.”

Leslie Westray

“CoResolve tools are useful in client meetings, and attaining contracts from clients. As opposed to simply discussing superficial issues, we use CoResolve to diffuse tension in the room, and also to understand why a client might not want a contract with our

company. By listening to potential client concerns, we can proactively address any issues, show the potential client that they have their best interests at heart, and broker a successful deal.”

Senior Director Local Health Integration Network Markham, Ontario

“I have used Deep Democracy to facilitate an internal strategic planning process. There were 15 people at the table. Just the vision could have taken us hours, but to our delight we finished the strategic plan in that session. We used the tools to get us to work through things we would have never got agreement on but once we got into it, it was quick. It is an efficient way of doing things.”

Pamela Venables

Director at Cole, Port & Woollon Limited Swindon, United Kingdom

Fred Witteveen

National Director at World Vision

EDUCATION

EDUCATION PROGRAMME

Practitioners who want to be able to teach within the corporate environment/ people who are typically in leadership positions need to qualify to become instructors of CoResolve. The instructor training is designed to train, upskill and equip you to teach the CoResolve Program.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Co Resolve and special Projects

Coresolve has been used in a special project enabling people on the Autistic and Asperger spectrum to communicate in a Social company. This is a new initiative enabling people to re enter the workforce. NGOs and NPOs

Through the staff, participants and employers using the Coresolve methodology, as a clear system of communication all are able to be included and to communicate. Through the active participation of all participants the solutions uncovered reflect the wisdom that is present in the group. The hierarchical lines are softened and all participate with shared accountability and responsibility.

Through using the Coresolve methodology the new initiative is functioning well, the participants have improved the social and communication skill and there have been very real therapeutic benefits to the participants.

The therapeutic effects will be explored further with thirty staff members of various NGO ‘s who provide a wide range of services to differing populations groups, undergoing the Coresolve training.

Perhaps the most universal way that people experience and suffer from conflict is in the context of their interpersonal relationships. Every day, everywhere on earth, there are fights breaking out between friends, neighbours, colleagues, business partners, parents and children, siblings, lovers and spouses. Given the importance of relationships to our overall well-being, these conflicts can be very disruptive and unsettling. So most of us avoid them for as long as we possibly can – sometimes until it is too late to resolve them.

The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy takes the perspective that conflict in relationship is a direct result of our diversity (whether identity-based or intellectual) and as such is both a natural occurence, and, if approached well, a gateway to personal and relational growth. While this may sound crazy to most of us who are conflict averse, conflict is an opportunity to learn and to find creative ways to evolve a relationship which lie beyond the differences in opinion or preference or desire. By engaging in the conflict – particularly if we do it early and often – we may be able to enrich and even save the relationships that mean the most to us.

Designed to help with interpersonal challenges, Let's Talk is an easy to learn and apply 4-step process powered by the Deep Democracy, which enables and empowers people in a relationship, be it professional or personal, to resolve conflicts and move towards shared decision-making. It has been piloted through couple coaching and is now available for those who want to try it out on their own in their significant relationships.

I KNOW ME PROFILE

A kernel theory of Freud's is the Obsessive Repetitive Compulsive Pattern. This theory suggests that we develop certain patterns of behavior based on our parenting and socialization process in our early childhood. These patterns form our coping mechanisms and influence the way we respond to people, our world and ourselves. Our coping mechanisms are our biggest strength and our Achilles heel. They determine our unique personality and limit us from fulfilling the true potential that lies within us.

Eric Bern, father of Transactional Analysis, built on Freud’s theory and termed it the Script Pattern Analysis. He purposefully compared a Script Pattern to a theatrical script in that, just as a theatrical script directs performance, the Script Pattern consciously or unconsciously directs how we relate to others, the world and ourselves.

Richard Erskine, a Transactional Analyst and follower of Bern, described how in our day to day functioning we respond in a manner that evokes and reinforces the Script Pattern. He termed these behavior responses as the “Rackety Pattern”. The I Know Me Profile is based on Richard Erskine’s rackety pattern.

THE LEWIS METHODOLOGY IN ACTION

Implementations and practice in a wide variety of contexts

Deep Democracy in Politics

"The groundbreaking work of Myrna Lewis has inspired and guided the efforts of transforming democracy in Swedish municipalities and regions. Myrna's work has been used in groundbreaking projects, co-creating with small and large groups, to meet complex political issues such as human rights, conflict and societal values."

Martin Sande, Creative leader at co-Lab by Preera

"The City of Gothenburg: Local consultants trained and mentored by Myrna Lewis are in the process of executing a capacity building program in dialogue and conflict management for city employees, leaders, politicians and partners. The Lewis method of Deep Democracy inspires much of the content of this program."

Bernard Le Roux Development Co-ordinator, The office of Social Sustainability, City of Gothenburg

The citizens of SWEDEN see themselves as the leaders in democratic practices for western countries.

Since 2012 there have been critical changes in Swedish Political Practices. SALAR (Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions) had initiated large scale community dialogues to involve their citizens in major decisions. As these dialogues took place there was a recognition that the dialogues needed to be skillfully facilitated. The facilitators had to create a safe space enabling different political viewpoints and the needs of different stakeholders and the community to be heard. The tensions from the diverse views needed to be resolved in a manner that led to the best solution for all as opposed to power plays which tend to dominate the political realm.

The primary method of facilitation has been Deep Democracy.

In 2013/2014 Legislation was passed in Sweden that dialogue had to take place with the relevant stakeholders and communities before any changes could be implemented. The law specified that if the dialogue did not take place a suitable explanation had to be given.

Through a fast track training program specifically designed to meet this need, several Deep Democracy facilitators were trained.

These facilitators have been, and are, very involved with implementing large scale dialogues in a myriad of political and governmental projects.

THE ILO AND U.N.

Since 2012 the Lewis methiod has been taught at the ILO training centrie in Italy and to different executive and leadership groups linked to the UN

There was a trining for UNICEF diurectors of the Asian Pacific Region in Januray 2016 and there will be a trining in Germany in 2017.

POLITICS

"The groundbreaking work of Myrna Lewis has inspired and guided the efforts of transforming democracy in Swedish municipalities and regions. Myrna's work has been used in groundbreaking projects, co-creating with small and large groups, to meet complex political issues such as human rights, conflict and societal values."
Martin Sande, Creative leader at co-Lab by Preera

Business and Organisations

"As director and owner of a national commercial business, (turnover of $30 million) ... I applied the Lewis methodology to my business during the Global Financial Crisis... remained competitive expanded, offered employment. in NSW, ACT, and VIC"

H, Stewart, Director UCI Pty Ltd (Australia)

"Deep Democracy is one of the most significant new techniques I have ever brought to my work. It has radically changed the way I consult, and also the way I work internally in my own organisation. It offers me tools, approaches, and ways of seeing group dynamics that take my change management ability to a new level."

Pamela Venables Director DD International

Deep Democracy has evolved into a cutting-edge program, The CoResolve Participative Leadership Program, to meet the challenges and demands of leaders in the 21st century. It enables leaders, teams and organizations to perform at optimum; running more effectively and efficiently in today's competitive environment and equipping them to deal with complexity and globalization.

This program enhances leadership knowledge and capacity by providing the necessary skills, tools and theoretical understanding to improve day-to-day functions such as running meetings, decision-making, problem solving and resolving tension.

It is targeted at anybody who is trying to drive an agenda such as business leaders, managers, supervisors, consultants, human resource practitioners, team workers, mentors, coaches and strategists - it recognizes that leadership today is no longer embodied in individuals, but needs to be shared.

It is a particularly useful tool for organisations involved in mergers, management changes, strategic adjustments, expansion, downsizing and other business challenges.

CoResolve views these crucial junctures as opportunities to strengthen organisations and to create the conditions for healthy regeneration.

The tools have been widely applied in many parts of the world in both the Public and Private sectors.

BUSINESS AND ORGANISATIONS

"As director and owner of a national commercial business, (turnover of $30 million) ... I applied the Lewis methodology to my business during the Global Financial Crisis... remained competitive, expanded, and offered employment in NSW, ACT, and Victoria."H. Stewart, Director UCI Pty Ltd (Australia)

Education

"Everyone has a voice at Wulagi (school). Three years of hearing everyone's views and making decisions together has helped our wellbeing, creative genius and responsibility."

"The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy allows students to take ownership & control their behaviour" Susan Kilgour: Principal: Wulagi Independent Public School

What teachers model, determines to a large extent how members of the next generation will treat themselves, each other, and the planet. So in a very real sense, teachers hold the key to our future as a species.

In 2016 sponsored by the Evans’ foundation to meet the todays’ needs in Europe, we are launching Coresolve Youth Speaks , a program to teach and enable teachers and learners to have challenging conversations .

In 2015 Coresolve for schools was introduced into South African Schools by Debbie Donaldson – to help promote leadership amongst the seniors and student leaders in the schools .

Research into the efficacy of using Deep Democracy in schools was first carried out in 2005. The research took place in an extremely disadvantaged, impoverished and violent community in South Africa. It became evident that the Deep Democracy methodology was as effective in classroom as it was in the boardroom.

Some of the results included:

The teachers applying the tools experienced less stress and found their work and relationships with their learners more fulfilling.

Furthermore they were able to adopt a less autocratic style of teaching which enabled the students themselves to become accountable for own learning and discipline within the classroom.

The learners responded well to this empowering process. There was a significant improvement in motivation and responsibility for their learning, thereby lessening the disciplinary problems.

Conflict, violence and bullying lessened. This positive effect within the school had a knock on effect in the surrounding community in some schools.

Deep Democracy was also successfully used as a management tool in the staff room and in the education hierarchy. Tension between staff members lessened, teamwork improved and as a result the general service to the school improved. Tension between hierarchical levels eased.

EDUCATION

"Everyone has a voice at Wulagi (school). Three years of hearing everyone's views and making decisions together has helped our wellbeing, creative genius and responsibility."

"The Lewis Method of Deep Democracy allows students to take ownership & control their behaviour" Susan Kilgour: Principal: Wulagi Independent Public School.

Deep Democracy in Social Activism

"The Israeli-Palestinian BDS debate was quite possibly one of the best meetings I have facilitated. In the words of the student politician who had convened the event: if it had gone any better we would have solved the Middle East problem!"

Dr. Aftab Erfan, Instructor, University of British Columbia

Around the world social activists are using Deep Democracy the Lewis Method to tackle the difficult tasks of resolving some of societies' most pressing problems. The Method, designed to include and empower, enables challenging conversations and dialogue to take place by creating a safe space as well as ensuring that all the voices and views are heard. In this way seemingly impossible issues can be tackled and resolved so that tension is reduced, realistic solutions for the future found and empowerment, the core of all authentic social activism, achieved.

Examples of Deep Democracy in this space:

The Lewis Method is being piloted and used in the Beyond Bias program, a program introduced in Sydney Australia to help overcome discrimination and prejudice in the workplace. The method is presented alongside a genocide survivor’s testimony and an academic framework for understanding discrimination. beyondbias.org.au.

In Israel, The Method was presented at the Mekudushet Jerusalem Arts Festival. An intervention using the methodology enabling ongoing work of Palestinian and Israeli activists took place alongside the the festival.

The Method has been applied in large scale community dialogues during the Turkish and Israeli Spring.

Deep Democracy Dialogues on Gender issues have been convened at the UN (Italy), South Africa, Australia, Sweden, Netherlands, Canada, and Australia.

The Method has often been used to talk through very tense and conflict ridden racial/tribal/ethnic tension in South Africa, Australia, Kenya, Israel, Ireland and USA.

In South Africa a series of conversations has brought together South Africans from both sides of the socio-economic divide to work on tangible ways of narrowing the gap.

In India, where 8 million people's livelihoods were under threat as a result of changes in fishing rights and the decreasing supply of fish, a Deep Democracy style meeting was facilitated enabling voices to be heard irrespective of caste, class and status.

In Kenya ethnic violence, which threatens the country, is rife amongst the youth. Youth Leaders trained in the Method organized one thousand youth to successfully take part in a peace rally to protest against ethnic violence.

In Canada, urban planners are using Deep Democracy to include the homeless in town planning where the voices of the homeless have historically not been included.

In Israel, soccer is being used as a meeting ground for Israeli and Palestinian youth. The concept was a dream of two well known coaches who have been taught how to apply Deep Democracy as part of their coaching to help bridge the gap between the disparate youth.

SOCIAL ACTIVISM

"The Israeli-Palestinian BDS debate was quite possibly one of the best meetings I have facilitated. In the words of the student politician who had convened the event: if it had gone any better we would have solved the Middle East problem!"
Dr. Aftab Erfan, Instructor, University of British Columbia

NGOs and NPO’s

The Lewis method , sees the NGO as a source of wisdom creates the space where this inner wisdom can surface and provide long lasting solutions to deeply embedded issues. Such an approach is particularly vital while working with marginalised people and the poor. By acknowledging their inner wisdom the Lewus methiod can be a significant way of empowering such people to become active participants”.

Gomathy Balasbramanian, Tata Institute of Social Sciences India

In society it can be hard to maintain stability and cooperation while juggling the multifaceted activities of a non-profit organisation. In the crucible of funding pressures, volunteer supervision, philosophical variances and regulatory compliance, even the most motivated players can lose heart and focus. Group dynamics are ironically harder to manage in NGO settings where the level of passion and idealism tends to be high.

The Lewis is especially effective in helping NGOs, their staff, trustees and volunteers to make genuinely collaborative decisions reflecting their shared interests and commitment.

It provides a toolkit, skills and methodology required for:

Visioning and strategic planning

Campaign co-design and implementation

Improving decision making and efficiency

Improving board-staff relationships

Multi stakeholder Interventions and meetings

Promoting and enabling cross cultural programs

Empowering minority groups

Working with youth and running youth-driven organizations

The following are some examples of where the Method has been used within the non-profit sector:

In SA the Methodology was used to assist lay counsellors carry out a medical Anti-Retroviral Program. It was the task of the counsellors to help educate the patients on how to take the complicated regimen of medication, support them through the side effects and ensure sustainability on the medication. The success of the program rested heavily on the counsellors. Their training in the Deep Democracy the Lewis method helped them cope with the challenges of their important task.

In Kenya Deep Democracy the Lewis Method was used by directors of an NGO tasked with peace keeping and preventing violence prior to elections. The director, a trained Deep Democracy instructor and practitioner, taught the Method to community leaders and workers. By using their skills in these rural communities there was limited conflict and it was noted that there were no fatalities in these regions - whilst violence and fatalities occurred in other areas. Instead of tribal war these communities began peaceful trading with one another. Most acknowledged the Deep Democracy tools as being key to this successful outcome.

In Canada the Method was used as a means to empower and knit the community of a group First Nations people in Victoria Island.

NGOs and NPOs

The Lewis method , sees the NGO as a source of wisdom creates the space where this inner wisdom can surface and provide long lasting solutions to deeply embedded issues. Such an approach is particularly vital while working with marginalised people and the poor. By acknowledging their inner wisdom the Lewus methiod can be a significant way of empowering such people to become active participants”.
Gomathy Balasbramanian, Tata Institute of Social Sciences India

Health

"... for the planned introduction of the method Deep Democracy as an important communication tool for our citizens with mental illness in general and especially for people with autism spectrum disorders. During the pre-planning of the project, the method was used with a target group and politicians with very good results."

The Mentally Ill

“I am honored and deeply appreciative of the initiative that is taking place in Halmstad, a municipality in Sweden. I have been invited to be involved with a special project in relation to the mentally ill in Halmstad. The Civis project is a social company that provides the infrastructure and support to enable people who have been diagnosed on the autistic spectrum, to re-enter the work force. The Lewis Method will be used and adapted to tackle the major challenges of overcoming the communication and interrelationship obstacles facing these people. As the Civis Project grows it will become duplicated and spread throughout Sweden. The aim is to employ as many people as possible effected by mental illness and reengage them in the work force and society thereby empowering and improving their lifestyle and their mental health”.

Myrna Lewis – Head of Professional Services, Deep Democracy Ltd.

The Health Sector

The work has spread to the Health System in Canada through Georgina Veldhorst, a Deep Democracy instructor who uses the Method extensively in her role as Health Care Executive and Senior Director of Planning, Integration and Community Engagement of Crown Corporation local health integration network, which plans and manages the health system for 1.8 million people.

HIV/ AIDS

In 2001 the Lewis Method was used by HIV/AID volunteer lay counsellors (all of who were HIV positive) and who were critical in educating and promoting the use of anti-retroviral programs in densely HIV infected communities.

The adapted Method has continued to be used in South Africa, UK, Sweden, Turkey and in Australia by people specifically trained in various NGO programs dealing with mental health eg. child and adolescent care; POWA (Protection of Women against violence and abuse), addictions, family and marital centres, etc.

Myrna Lewis continues to support and supervise this growing number of people.

HEALTH

"... for the planned introduction of the method Deep Democracy as an important communication tool for our citizens with mental illness in general and especially for people with autism spectrum disorders. During the pre-planning of the project, the method was used with a target group and politicians with very good results."Camilla Eklund-Hagel, Department of Social Services Halmstad Municipality Sweden

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